James vs Sampson

Baby Name Comparison — 2026

James

Boy #5 Most Popular 1 Syllable

Meaning

"supplanter, one who follows at the heel"

Origin: Hebrew

Cultural Roots

English Scottish Biblical

Quick Stats

Popularity Rank
#5
Total SSA Count
11,793
Syllables
1
Formality
Formal
Nicknames
Jim, Jimmy, Jamie

Playground Safety Score

✓ All Clear
Full profile for James →

Popularity Comparison

James Rank #5
Sampson Rank #3,474

James is more popular, ranked #5 vs #3474 for Sampson.

Popularity Over Time

Historical US popularity rank — lower number means more popular.

Middle Name Pairings

James ___

  • James Alexander
  • James William
  • James Thomas
  • James Edward
  • James Henry
  • James Patrick

Sampson ___

  • Sampson James
  • Sampson Lee
  • Sampson Thomas
  • Sampson Henry
  • Sampson David

Sibling Name Ideas

Names that pair well as siblings.

If you choose James

Charlotte Olivia Emma William Henry

If you choose Sampson

Delilah Solomon Elijah Miriam Benjamin

Which Name Fits Your Family?

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll help you decide.

1. Which style feels more like your family?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is James or Sampson more popular?

James is more popular, ranked #5 compared to Sampson at #3474 in the United States.

What do James and Sampson mean?

James means "supplanter, one who follows at the heel" (Hebrew origin). Sampson means "sun child, bright sun" (Hebrew origin).

Are James and Sampson boy or girl names?

James is primarily a boy name. Sampson is primarily a boy name.

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← Full profile: James ← Full profile: Sampson Browse all baby names